Electric heating apparatus



y-nerflbr BY l I zwi/SLM E. S. SMITH ELECTRIC HEATING APPARATUS Flled Sep?l 18 1940 Feb. 24, 1942.

Patented Feb. 24, 1942 ELECTRIC HEATING' APPARATUS Elmore" Stanley Smith, Weston, Ontario, Canadal assigner to Moffats Limited, Weston, Ontario,

Canada rApplication September 18, 1940, Serial No. 357,255 y In `Canada May 20-1940 8* Claims.

AThe present, invention relates to electric heating apparatus of the typeA adapted to heat the contents of a paill or vothersimilar vessel. Heretofore, it has been necessary for,v farmers and poultrymen to carry pailsiof hotwater from farm house stovesto the barns: andl poultry houses to enablewarm food to befed toistock and poultry. The object of'this invention is to' provide av safe and economical device for-heating` liquid or food containing liquid in a barn or poultr-y house. A further object is to devise apparatus of this character in which the heating element is connected with and disconnected from a source of electric supply by the action of positioning apail on a part of the apparatus and removing it therefrom respectively, in which the connections for energizing the heating element are so positioned that live connectionsA cannot be contactedy accidentally by an operator or by inflammable material; and in which the electric energyy will be automatically disconnectedv before: the pailzbecomes dry.

I attain my objects by providing a'pivoted arm with a heating element-,adaptedto-heat the contents of a container when the latter is supported on the arm. VAswitchy electrically connected with the heating element is 'adapted to be connected in an electric supply circuit and is operated by the rockingv of the arm to open and close the switch. Means is providedv to turnr the arm on its pivot to cause the switch to bek opened to deenergize the heating,y element when the Weight of the container and its. contentsis less than al predetermined amount;

The constructions are hereinafter more fully described and are illustrated in the accompanying drawing inwhich Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the apparatus;

Fig. 2` a` horizontal section on theline 2-2` in Fig. 1, the pailand'heatingf-element being partly broken away; and

Fig. 3 a sectional detail showing the contacts disengaged.

In the drawing likenumerals of reference indicate the corresponding parts in the different figures. f

The apparatus includes a bracket having an end I and spaced apart side members 2 connected with the said'end. The side members 2 maybe formed integral with a top or cover portion 3 and the said parts 2' and 3 may have flanges 2a and 3f* for securingv them to the endl or base plate I. Screws 4 are employed to secure the bracket to any suitable part 5, such as a post, ofy a barnorfchicken-house,

Secured to the underside of the cover portion 3 is anv insulating block 6y on the underside of which are mounted` the lixed contacts'l,` 8. These contacts areV connected by leads 9; III with terminals I I', I2 on an insulating block I3 whichds secured to the end I of the 4bracket beneath ythe cover portion 3;-. To the terminalsr are connected lead-in wires (not shown) forv supplying energy to said terminals and thusto the iixed contacts 'l and 8. e

An arm I4 pivoted at I5 on the bracketside members 2 is formed of two side parts I6 which are connected together by a` plurality of cross bars; Il, I8,l I9 and 20. The bar I`8 carries an insulating block 2I to which are secured, by means of bolts 225 the resilient: conductors 23; 24. These conductors' carry contacts 25, 26 adapted to'engage the fixed contacts 1,;8; Thev'cross bar I9 is. provided with a boss 211 having an opening therethrough to receive the upper end of the tube 28:' which depends from the arm. In the lower'end of the tube is suitably secured the ends of a sheathed type of heating element 29having convolutions 39a extendinglaterally of the tube. The terminals of the element 29 are electrically connected with the conductors 23, 24 andl thus rwith the contacts 25, 26 by means ofinsulated wires 30, 3I. These wires vare suitablyv secured to the element terminals-within the tubel 28 and pass through the upper end` thereof for connection with the bolts 22. The lower end otA the tube is closed around the projectingends of'fthe sheathed element to prevent moisture from entering the tube. The upperend of the tube is engaged by a set screw whichis threaded inthe boss 2l to secure the tube in position therein. A spring 32 connected with the cross-bar I'I of the `arm I4 and a lug 33 on the end I- of the bracket' tends to turn the arm on its pivot I5 to cause the contacts 25', 26 to be moved out of engagement with the xed `contacts l, 8 whereby the heating element 29 is normally de-energized.

The free end of the pivoted arm I4 projects beyond the cover portion 3 of thev bracket, andv the side parts I6 of the arm are provided with notches or open bearings 34 to receive the bail 35 of a pail 36. The said parts I6 are spaced apart sufliciently to permitthe usual wooden handle 3l on the bail 35 to be positioned between them which facilitates the removal ofthe pail from the arm after the water or food in the pail has been heated by the element 29. The latter is immersed in the pail as itv is being moved upwardly to hang its bail on the arm I4.

The tension of'vthe` spring` 32k which may be varied by an adjusting screw 38 interposed between the lug 33 and the adjacent end of the spring, is such that it will move the arm to deenergize the heating element 29 before the pail boils dry. That is to say, the spring will cause the contacts to be separated when the weight of the pail 36 and its contents is less than a predetermined amount. The crossbar 20 is adapted to engage a depending lip 3In on the cover portion 3 to limit the movement of the arm I4 under the action of the spring 32. The latter forms a resilient stop for the arm when it is carrying a pail having suicient contacts to overcome the tension of the spring. Thus most of the load is removed from the contacts and the conductors 23, 24.

To eliminate arcing, the contacts 25, 26 are sharply engaged with and disengaged from the fixed contacts '1, 8. The arrn I4 carries a spring nger 39 having an anti-friction roller 40 which is adapted to ride over aprojection or hump 4I on the adjacent face of the end I of the bracket. The roller tends to remain at the upper side of the projection until the spring 32 is tensioned sufliciently to draw the roller quickly over the projection whereupon the arm I4 is correspondingly moved to disengage the contacts. The roller then tends to remain at the lower side of the projection 4I until sufticient weight is applied to the free end of the arm I4 to overcome the resistance and cause the movable contacts to engage the fixed contacts quickly.

From the above description, it is obvious that the heating element 29 is energized only when a pail carrying suriicient liquid to overcome the t tension of the spring 32 is hung on the arm I4. If the operator should forget to remove the paid when its contents reaches the desired temperature the contents will boil away until the spring 32 automatically turns the arm on its pivot to cause the contacts to be separated and thus the heating element to be de-energized. This occurs before the element is uncovered by the liquid in the pail so that any dust or dirt cannotl contact the element while it is being energized. The side members 2 and cover portion 3 enclose the contacts and the other electrical connections whereby they cannot be accidentally contacted by the operator or by any straw, etc., which might be blown towards the apparatus. The latter is conveniently positioned for use above the floor of the barn or chickenhouse and thus away from any straw on the floor and out of reach of small animals.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. Electric heating apparatus comprising an arm pivoted on a stationary part; a switch for connection with an electric supply circuit operable by the rocking of the arm for opening and closing the switch; a heating element carried by the arm and electrically connected with the switch, the element being adapted to heat the contents of a container when the latter is supported on the arm; means tending to turn the arm on its pivot to cause the switch to be opened when the weight of the container and contents is less than a predetermined amount; a stationary projection; and a spring finger carried by the arm and adapted to ride over the projection when the arm is rocked in either di- .i

rection of rotation to ensure a sharp opening and closing of the switch.

2. Electric heating apparatus comprising a stationary bracket; an arm pivoted on said bracket; a switch for connection with an electric supply circuit operable by the rocking of the arm for opening and closing the switch; an immersion heating element secured to and depending from said arm, the element being electrically connected with the switch and being adapted to be received in a pail when the latter is hung on the arm; a spring tending to turn the arm on its pivot to cause the switch to be opened; a projection on the bracket; and a spring finger carried by the arm and adapted to ride over the projection when the arm is turned in either direction of rotation to ensure a sharp opening and closing of the switch.

3. Electric heating apparatus comprising a stationary bracket having spaced apart side members; xed contacts connected with a source of electric supply and carried by the bracket between the side members; an arm pivoted on said side members and comprising two spaced apart side parts having open bearings to receive a bail on a pail; contacts on said arm adapted to engage the fixed contacts; a heating element secured to and depending from the arm, the element being electrically connected with the contacts on the arm and being adapted to be received in the pail; and a spring tending to turn the arm on its pivot to cause the second mentioned contacts to be moved out of engagement with the fixed contacts.

4. Electric heating apparatus comprising a stationary bracket having spaced apart side members, and an end member connected with said side members; xed contacts connected with a source of electric supply and carried by the bracket between the side members; an arm pivoted on said side members and comprising two spaced apart side parts having open bearings to receive a bail on a pail; contacts on said arm adapted to engage the fixed contacts; a heating element secured to and depending from the arm, the element being electrically connected with the contacts on the arm and being adapted to be received in the pail; a spring tending to turn the arm on its pivot to cause the second mentioned contacts to be moved out of engagement with the fixed contacts; a projection on the end member; a spring nger having one end secured to the arm; and an anti-friction roller journalled on the other end of the ringer adapted to ride Over the projection when the arm is turned in either direction of rotation to ensure a sharp engagement and separation of the arm contacts with and from the xed contacts.

5. Electric heating apparatus comprising a stationary bracket; iixed contacts connected with a source of electric supply and carried by said bracket; an arm pivoted on said bracket and having an open bearing to receive a bail on a pail; resilient connectors carried by and insulated from said arm; contacts on said connectors adapted to engage the xed contacts; a heating element secured to and depending from said arm, the element being electrically connected with the connectors on the arm and being adapted to be received in the pail; and a spring tending to turn the arm on its pivot to cause the second mentioned contacts to be moved out of engagement with the xed contacts.

6. Electric heating apparatus comprising a stationary bracket having spaced apart side members, an end member with which said side members are connected, and a cover portion connected with the side members; an insulating block secured to the underside of the cover; fixed contacts connected with a source of electric supply and carried on the underside of said block; an arm pivoted on said side members and comprising two sapced apart side parts having open bearings to receive a bail on a pail; resilient connectors carried by and insulated from said arm; contacts on said connectors adapted to engage the fixed contacts; an immersion heating element of the sheathed type secured to and depending from the arm, the element being electrically connected with the connectors and being adapted to be received in the pail; and a spring tending to turn the arm on its pivotl to cause the second mentioned contacts to be moved out of engagement with the fixed contacts.

7. Electric heating apparatus comprising a stationary bracket having spaced apart side members; fixed contacts connected with a source of electric supply and carried by the bracket between the side members; an arm pivoted on said side members and comprising two spaced apart side parts having open bearings to receive a bail on a pail; contacts on said arm adapted to engage the fixed contacts; a cross bar on the arm connecting the two side parts and provided with an opening; a tube secured in said opening and depending from the cross-bar; a heating element of the sheathed type secured in the lower end of said tube and projecting therefrom for immersion in the pail, the element being electrically connected with the contacts on the arm; and means tending to turn the arm on its pivot to cause the second mentioned contacts to be moved out of engagement with the xed contacts.

8. Electric heating apparatus comprising a stationary bracket having spaced apart side members; fixed contacts connected with a source of electric supply and carried by the bracket between the side members; an arm pivoted on said side members and comprising two spaced apart side parts having open bearings to receive a bail on a pail; contacts on said arm adapted to engage the fixed contacts; a heating element secured to and depending from the arm, the element being `Aelectrically connected with the contacts on the arm and being adapted to be received in the pail; a spring tending to turn the arm on its pivot to cause the second mentioned contacts to be moved out of engagement with the fixed contacts; a projection on the bracket; and a spring finger carried by the arm and adapted to ride over the projection when the arm is turned in either direction of rotation to ensure a sharp opening and closing of the switch.

ELMORE S. SMITH. 

